BILL ANALYSIS
By: Flynn
Defense Affairs & State-Federal Relations
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The Texas Humanitarian Service Medal is an existing state award that is awarded to the members of the Texas Military Forces, which includes the Army and Air National Guard and State Guard. Currently, only those active members of the Texas Military Forces are eligible to receive the award. By applying Title 32 of the United States Code to the criteria of the award, the Texas Military Forces members who are not technically on active duty but participate satisfactorily in defense support to missions under civil authority, such as reserve component personnel who perform additional duties to support operations or missions, will become eligible for the award.
House Bill 2895 provides that all members of the Texas Military Forces who have participated in defense support to a mission soon after a national disaster or civil unrest in the state are eligible for the Texas Humanitarian Service Medal.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that existing rulemaking authority of the adjutant general is modified in SECTION 1 of this bill.
ANALYSIS
HB 2895 expands the existing criteria to provide that while serving on state active duty or active duty under state authority in accordance with Title 32 of the United States Code, participates satisfactorily in defense support to a mission under civilian authority to protect life or property during or soon after a natural disaster or civil unrest in Texas is eligible for the Texas Humanitarian Service Medal.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.